The Girl Who Lived Beyond the Veil of Titans : Blossoms of Destiny

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓛𝓘𝓘

After the effective elimination of Rod Reiss's Titan, Commander Erwin had ordered us to form patrols to search for any remaining allies of Reiss and the Anti-Personnel Control Squad. Oluo, the Captain, and I were assigned to one squad.

Despite my doubts about finding any survivors—most of them had likely been crushed under the chapel's collapsed cave—I understood the Commander's insistence on thoroughness.

For several minutes, we combed the area surrounding the emergence site of Rod Reiss's Titan until we reached the edge of the forest. My eyes widened at the sight of a figure, bloodied and burned, slumped painfully against a tree.

" Captain...". I whispered, pointing toward the figure.

Levi's eyes widened slightly before he signaled us to follow him. Oluo and I moved cautiously toward the tree, our footsteps muted against the forest floor. As we drew closer, the full extent of the man's injuries became painfully clear.

Half of his face was charred, and his body was severely burned. Blood seeped from a gash in his stomach, likely caused by the rubble that had fallen from the cave.

" Kenny". Levi said, his voice low but clear.

Oluo, visibly tense, kept his rifle trained on Kenny, ready for any sudden movement.

Kenny looked up, his eyes barely open, and coughed up blood," It's you".

" All of your men who fought us have been crushed. Are you the only one left ?". Levi asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and cold efficiency.

" Looks that way". Kenny replied, his voice ragged.

" Captain, he's...". Oluo's voice faltered, unable to find the right words.

Despite being our enemy, Levi's eyes betrayed a flicker of sorrow. Even though he knew Kenny's death was imminent, the sight of the man's suffering seemed to affect him.

" We'll be fine on our own. Oluo, go report back. Stella, stay here in case". Levi ordered.

Oluo nodded," Yes, sir".

As Oluo walked away, I sat down in front of Kenny, my gaze fixed on his wounds.

" Come to see the gruesome up close, girly ?". Kenny asked with a pained, rasping laugh.

I shook my head, stepping back," There's nothing I can do... Even my magic has limits".

Levi observed Kenny thoughtfully," Severe burns, massive blood loss... You're a goner".

" Oh ? I wonder...". Kenny's voice trembled as he reached for an open box beside him.

Levi and I stared in shock as Kenny revealed a serum, similar to the one Rod Reiss had used to transform into a Titan.

" I swiped one from Rod's bag... I'm guessing... using this will turn me into a Titan. I'll be a stupid Titan, but it should... keep me alive a bit longer". Kenny explained weakly.

Levi remained silent, his gaze fixed on the man slumped against the tree.

" You had the chance to inject yourself before. Why didn't you ?". Levi asked, his tone cutting through the silence.

" Huh. I wonder. If I don't do it right... I'll probably end up... all messed up like him...". Kenny replied, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

" There's no way you'd just sit around waiting to die. Don't you have a better excuse ?". Levi retorted.

" Sure, I don't want to die. I want power. But I think... I understand now... Why he did that... She wouldn't have wanted this for me... I've done too much... that she wouldn't approve of". Kenny said, his voice faltering.